Some web applications just work better in certain browsers. If you have Microsoft Windows set to use Chrome as your default browser, but you want to use a desktop shortcut to open a specific site in Microsoft Edge. Or maybe another website icon that will only work in Firefox. Creating a shortcut to a web document won’t work. However, you can open a URL using a shortcut to a non-default browser using these steps:
- Right-click a blank area of the desktop and select “New” > “Shortcut“.
- For the location, type the path to the browser you wish to use followed by the URL you wish to open. For example:
- Chrome:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" https://technipages.com - Edge :
"%windir%\explorer.exe" microsoft-edge:https://technipages.com - IE:
"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" https://technipages.com - Firefox:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" https://technipages.com
- Chrome:
- Provide the name for the shortcut. You will probably want to use the name of the website in most cases.
- Select “Next“.
- Select “Finish“.
Now you have a shortcut that will open the website in a specific web browser, no matter what the default browser is set to in Windows.
I have tested this thoroughly and it works in Windows 11 as well as Windows 10.
Mitch Bartlett says
Sounds like something is wrong with your quotation marks. Type up the command. Do not copy and paste from this post.
Doug says
On 04/26/2023—Tried for opening in Chrome instead of Edge on pc with Windows 11. Does not work. FYI: Chrome is not in Program Files (x86) on my pc…it’s in Program Files. Didn’t work either way. Gives odd error as trying to find C:\Program as though it was a file.
brahim lachgar says
This is not the problem .. the problem is when you want to make a shortcut for a link and you want it to open in the Google browser, but edge imposes itself strongly in showing the shortcut on my desktop
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John says
(Microsoft) TEAMS using Meeting ID and Passcode in FIREFOX opens without Audio.
This shortcut to a specific brower solve the issue. Firfox remains the default but TEAMS opens in Edge with audio. Brilliant!
tom says
can confirm
what red Gennille said on August 24, 2022 at 5:23 am
Edge : “c:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft/Edge/Application/msedge.exe” https://technipages.com
Fred Gennille says
I was having the same issue as everyone else where the edge shortcut was opening my documents instead of the browser. I got Edge links working by using
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe” https://technipages.com
Mike says
I’ve checked many websites searching for a solution and your’s actually worked! I was just so skeptical when I first attempted to open the new shortcut and it worked that I almost fell out of my chair! Thank you so much!!!
Daniel B says
Thanks! So simple and it works great.
charles peirce says
Nice!
These lines seem to work equally well in a batch file.
A batch file has the advantage when you want to open multiple pages at the same time, particularly if you want them in different browsers. A shortcut has the advantage if you want the browser to be maximised or minimised when it opens, or if you want to restrict who can use the shortcut. A shortcut is fractionally simpler to create.
I’ve wanted to do this for some time. Thank you for sharing.
Earl says
I’ve tried this a couple times. One works every time and the other only opens My Documents. I’ve played with it a few times but not found a solution, yet.
Dan says
Not sure what happened here. It seemed to work the first time, but after that it only opens My Documents folder. I deleted that shortcut and tried to create a new one the same way and it only opens the My Documents folder as well. Any ideas?
Rudy Kham says
You probably didn’t think how grand you’d make someone’s life significantly better when you started writing this article… but let me tell you, you have – and it’s super sweet. Chrome is my goto browser but I don’t make it default. My instant “To-Do-List” is on Google Keeps, and now I have a desktop shortcut pointing right at it. Thank you so much.
Nick says
Very helpful! Thank you!
Bat Stan says
Unfortunately this is not working at the moment. It automatikaly putt HTTPS: in the begining and do not start IE. At the moment is 05.04.2022
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